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Amigurumi Food - yes even yarn lovers have their food addiction!
At Yarn Corner, food currently has a huge presence, but not in the way you might think.
The image above represents the type of food that Yarn lovers like. Amigurumi food. There are lots of images of food floating around our group, of noodles, ice cream, lollies and pizzas; the difference? They're all made out of yarn! (I'm sure that burger above looked tasty yes?)
Those of us who live in the wealthier countries have become used to a barrage of information disseminated through a variety of media. Some of this is educational... but the majority is commercial advertising by food manufacturers and retailers. (Atkins & Bowler, 2001).
Food ways often represent an important expression of our identity. (Atkins & Bowler, 2001). Currently Yarn Corner is undertaking a massive display that will before all to see at the Royal Melbourne Show; creating Amigurumi for this is the closest members have let food reflect their identities. Rather than letting corporations influence our food choices; corporations influence our yarn purchases. As consumers, we are encouraged to think that an economic system based on individual choice will save us from the collective ills of hunger and obesity. (Patel, 2007.) It may, but only in the terms of balls of yarn.
Alcohol plays even less of a roll in Yarn Corner. It has never been mentioned and it has only been used on one yarn bomb outside a café. It has no concept of power (Kuttainen, 2013). Alcohol has a long and varied history, but nothing relating to Yarn Corner or Yarn in general.
Bibliography
Atkins, P. &. (2001). The Origins of Taste. In P. &.
Atkins, Food In Society: Economy, Culture, Geography (p. 273). New York:
Arnold.
Atkins, P., & Bowler, I. (2001). The Origins of Taste. In
P. Atkins, & I. Bowler, Food In Society: Economy, Culture, Geography
(p. 290). New York: Arnold.
Kuttainen, V. (2013, September 11). BA1002 Week 7 Lecture: A
Case Study on Rum. Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Patel, R. (2007). Introduction. In R. Patel, Stuffed and
Starved: Markets and the Hidden Battle for the World Food System (p. 5).
Melbourne: Black Inc.
Yang,
Sidney (2013) Amigurumi Burger and
Chips [Image]. Retrieved from: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2401351780675494429#editor/target=post;postID=4433736206457504045
Hi Katie, a great post! I really have enjoyed your blogs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you have said about how the population of the wealthier countries have became used to the advertising that the manufactures of food companies display everyday. In fact I think that we have become immune to the actual impacts that this advertising strategies play on our own identity and self esteem. Using the same quote that we both chose to use this week, 'food ways often represent an important expression of our identity. (Atkins & Bowler, 2001).' I cant help but think that the advertising strategies used by the rich companies play on what is perceived to be the 'popular' identity that people wish to identify with. For example, the beautiful model like girl they use to advertise the new burger range available at McDonalds, we all know that there is no way those girls would eat those meals. However, people see this and unfortunately aspire to look like these women, and i suppose take on the attitude that if they can eat it so can I.. I can remember being effected by this kind of advertising when I was younger, to be cool and popular was the be all and end all! Sad really.
When you sit back and look at it, it amazing how much food does impact our lives, besides the obvious that we need it to survive.
Atkins, P., & Bowler, I. (2001). The Origins of Taste. In P. Atkins, & I. Bowler, Food In Society: Economy, Culture, Geography (p. 290). New York: Arnold.